- A
Availability
Ransomware prevents access to data, impacting availability.
- B
Integrity
Why wrong: Integrity is affected because data is encrypted, but the main concern is access.
- C
Non-repudiation
Why wrong: Non-repudiation is not part of the CIA triad.
- D
Confidentiality
Why wrong: Data is encrypted but not necessarily disclosed.
Question 193 of 1,000
200-201 Security Concepts Practice Question
This 200-201 practice question tests your understanding of security concepts. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
An organization experiences a ransomware attack where files are encrypted and a ransom is demanded. Which element of the CIA triad is most directly impacted?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Availability
A ransomware attack encrypts files and demands payment, directly preventing users from accessing their data and systems. This loss of access is a direct impact on Availability, which ensures that information and resources are accessible when needed. The CIA triad's Availability element is most immediately compromised because the organization cannot retrieve or use its encrypted files.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Availability
Why this is correct
Ransomware prevents access to data, impacting availability.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Integrity
Why it's wrong here
Integrity is affected because data is encrypted, but the main concern is access.
- ✗
Non-repudiation
Why it's wrong here
Non-repudiation is not part of the CIA triad.
- ✗
Confidentiality
Why it's wrong here
Data is encrypted but not necessarily disclosed.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between Integrity and Availability by presenting a scenario where data is altered (encryption) but the primary consequence is loss of access, leading candidates to mistakenly choose Integrity because they focus on the modification rather than the resulting denial of service.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Ransomware typically uses symmetric encryption (e.g., AES-256) to encrypt files quickly, then asymmetric encryption (e.g., RSA-2048) to protect the symmetric key. The attacker's goal is to deny access to data until a ransom is paid, directly targeting Availability. In some variants, the attacker may also exfiltrate data to pressure victims, but the core mechanism is denial of access, not breach of confidentiality or integrity.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the 200-201 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 200-201 question test?
Security Concepts — This question tests Security Concepts — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Availability — A ransomware attack encrypts files and demands payment, directly preventing users from accessing their data and systems. This loss of access is a direct impact on Availability, which ensures that information and resources are accessible when needed. The CIA triad's Availability element is most immediately compromised because the organization cannot retrieve or use its encrypted files.
What should I do if I get this 200-201 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
This 200-201 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Cisco certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 200-201 exam.
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